生命之道

太初,道已经存在,道与上帝同在,道就是上帝。 太初,道就与上帝同在。 万物都是借着祂造的[a],受造之物没有一样不是借着祂造的。 祂里面有生命,这生命是人类的光。 光照进黑暗里,黑暗不能胜过[b]光。

有一个人名叫约翰,是上帝差来的。 他来是要为光做见证,叫世人可以借着他而相信。 约翰不是那光,他来是为那光做见证。 那照亮世人的真光来到了世上。 10 祂来到自己所创造的世界,世界却不认识祂。 11 祂来到自己的地方,自己的人却不接纳祂。 12 但所有接纳祂的,就是那些信祂的人,祂就赐给他们权利成为上帝的儿女。 13 这些人既不是从人的血缘关系生的,也不是从人的情欲或意愿生的,而是从上帝生的。

14 道成为肉身,住在我们中间,充满了恩典和真理。我们见过祂的荣耀,正是父独一儿子的荣耀。

15 约翰为祂做见证的时候,高声喊道:“这就是我以前所说的那位,‘祂在我以后来却比我位分高,因为祂在我之前已经存在了。’” 16 从祂的丰盛里,我们一次又一次地领受了恩典。 17 因为律法是借着摩西颁布的,恩典和真理是借着耶稣基督赐下来的。 18 从来没有人见过上帝,只有父怀中的独一上帝[c]把祂显明出来。

施洗者约翰的见证

19 以下是约翰的见证。犹太人从耶路撒冷派祭司和利未人来找约翰,查问他是谁。 20 约翰毫不隐瞒地说:“我不是基督。”

21 他们问:“那么,你是谁?是以利亚吗?”

他说:“不是。”

他们又问:“你是那位先知吗?”

他说:“也不是。”

22 他们又追问:“你到底是谁?我们好回复差我们来的人。你自己说你是谁?”

23 他说:“我就是在旷野大声呼喊‘修直主的路’的那个人,正如以赛亚先知所言。”

24 派来的人当中有几个法利赛人[d],他们问他: 25 “你既然不是基督,不是以利亚,也不是那位先知,那你为什么给人施洗呢?”

26 约翰答道:“我是用水施洗,但在你们中间有一位你们不认识的, 27 祂虽然是在我以后来的,我就是给祂解鞋带也不配。” 28 这事发生在约旦河东岸的伯大尼,那里是约翰给人施洗的地方。

上帝的羔羊

29 次日,约翰看见耶稣走过来,就说:“看啊!上帝的羔羊,除去世人罪恶的! 30 这就是我以前所说的那位,‘有一个人在我以后来却比我位分高,因为祂在我之前已经存在了。’ 31 我以前并不认识祂,现在我用水给人施洗,是要把祂显明给以色列人。”

32 约翰又做见证说:“我看见圣灵好像鸽子一样从天降下,住在祂身上。 33 我本来不认识祂,但那位差我来用水给人施洗的告诉我,‘你看见圣灵降下,住在谁身上,谁就是用圣灵给人施洗的。’ 34 我看见了,便做见证,祂就是上帝的儿子。”

第一批门徒

35 再次日,约翰和两个门徒站在那里, 36 他看见耶稣经过,就说:“看啊!这是上帝的羔羊!” 37 两个门徒听见他的话,便跟从了耶稣。 38 耶稣转过身来,看见他们跟着,便问:“你们想要什么?”

他们说:“老师[e],你住在哪里?”

39 耶稣说:“你们来看吧。”他们便跟着去看耶稣住的地方。到了那里大约下午四点了,他们就住在耶稣那里。 40 听见约翰的话后跟从耶稣的两个人中,有一个是西门·彼得的弟弟安得烈。 41 他首先去找他哥哥西门,说:“我们找到弥赛亚了!”弥赛亚的意思是基督[f] 42 他带着西门去见耶稣。

耶稣看着西门,对他说:“约翰的儿子西门,你要改名为矶法。”矶法的意思是彼得。

43 又过了一天,耶稣决定去加利利。祂遇见了腓力,就对他说:“跟从我!” 44 腓力是伯赛大人,与彼得、安得烈是同乡。 45 腓力去找拿但业,对他说:“我们遇见了摩西律法书和先知书记载的那位!祂是约瑟的儿子耶稣,从拿撒勒来的。”

46 拿但业说:“拿撒勒还会出什么好东西?”

腓力说:“你来看看吧!”

47 耶稣看见拿但业走过来,就指着他说:“看啊,这是个真正的以色列人!他心里毫无诡诈。”

48 拿但业问耶稣:“你怎么会认识我?”

耶稣答道:“腓力还没有去找你之前,我就看见你在无花果树下了。”

49 拿但业说:“老师,你是上帝的儿子!你是以色列的王!”

50 耶稣说:“我说看见你在无花果树下,你就信我吗?将来你还要看见比这更大的事。 51 我实实在在地告诉你们,你们会看见天门敞开,上帝的天使以人子[g]为梯上上下下。”

变水为酒

第三天,在加利利的迦拿有人举办婚宴,耶稣的母亲在那里。 耶稣和门徒也被邀请去赴宴。 酒喝完了,耶稣的母亲就对祂说:“他们没有酒了。” 耶稣说:“妇人,这跟你我有什么相干[h]?我的时候还没有到。” 祂母亲对仆人说:“祂叫你们做什么,你们就做什么。” 那里有六口犹太人用来行洁净礼仪的石缸,每口可以盛约一百升水。

耶稣对仆人说:“把缸倒满水!”他们就往缸里倒水,一直满到缸口。 耶稣又说:“现在可以舀些出来,送给宴席总管。”他们就送了去。 那些仆人知道这酒是怎样来的,宴席总管却不知道。他尝过那水变的酒后,便把新郎叫来, 10 对他说:“人们都是先拿好酒款待客人,等客人喝够了,才把次等的拿出来,你却把好酒留到现在!” 11 这是耶稣第一次行神迹,是在加利利的迦拿行的,彰显了祂的荣耀,门徒都信了祂。

12 这事以后,耶稣和祂的母亲、弟弟并门徒一起去迦百农住了几天。

洁净圣殿

13 犹太人的逾越节快到了,耶稣便上耶路撒冷去。 14 祂看见圣殿区有人在卖牛羊和鸽子,还有人在兑换银币, 15 就用绳索做成鞭子把牛羊赶出去,倒掉钱商的银币,推翻他们的桌子, 16 又对卖鸽子的说:“把这些东西拿出去!不要把我父的殿当作市场。” 17 祂的门徒想起圣经上说:“我对你的殿充满炙热的爱。”

18 当时,犹太人质问祂:“你给我们显什么神迹来证明你有权这样做?”

19 耶稣回答说:“你们拆毁这座殿,我三天之内会把它重建起来。”

20 他们说:“这座殿用了四十六年才建成,你三天之内就要把它重建起来吗?” 21 其实耶稣说的殿是指自己的身体, 22 所以等到祂从死里复活以后,祂的门徒想起这句话,就相信了圣经和耶稣所传的道。

23 耶稣在耶路撒冷过逾越节期间,许多人看见祂行的神迹,就信了祂。 24 耶稣却不信任他们,因为祂洞悉万人。 25 不用别人告诉祂,祂也深知人的内心。

论重生

有一个法利赛人名叫尼哥德慕,是犹太人的官。 一天晚上,他来见耶稣,说:“老师,我们知道你是上帝差来教导人的,因为如果没有上帝的同在,没有人能行你所行的神迹。”

耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你,人若不重生[i],就不能看见上帝的国。”

尼哥德慕说:“人老了,怎能重生呢?难道要再进母腹生一次吗?”

耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你,人如果不是从水和圣灵生的,就不能进上帝的国。 从肉体生的还是肉体,从圣灵生的才是灵。 所以我说你们必须重生,你不要惊奇。 风随意吹动,你听见它的声音,却不知道它从哪里来,往哪里去。凡从圣灵生的人也是这样。”

尼哥德慕又问:“这怎么可能呢?”

10 耶稣说:“你是以色列人的教师,还不明白这事吗? 11 我实实在在地告诉你,我们所说的是自己知道的,所见证的是自己见过的,可是你们不肯接受我们的见证。 12 我对你们说地上的事,你们尚且不信,要是说天上的事,你们怎么会信呢? 13 除了从天上降下来的人子[j]以外,没有人到过天上。 14 摩西在旷野怎样举起铜蛇,人子也必照样被举起来, 15 叫一切信祂的人都得到永生。

16 “因为上帝爱世人,甚至将祂独一的儿子赐给他们,叫一切信祂的人不致灭亡,反得永生。 17 上帝差祂的儿子到世上来,不是要定世人的罪,而是要借着祂的儿子拯救世人。 18 信祂的人不会被定罪,不信的人已经被定罪,因为他们不信上帝独一的儿子。 19 光来到世上,世人因为自己的行为邪恶而不爱光,反爱黑暗,这就是他们被定罪的原因。 20 作恶的人恨光,不肯接近光,恐怕他们的罪行暴露出来。 21 但遵行真理的人喜欢接近光,好显明他所做的是靠上帝做的。”

施洗者约翰论耶稣

22 这事之后,耶稣和门徒前往犹太地区,在那里住下来给人施洗。 23-24 那时约翰还没有入狱,他在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也给人施洗。那里水多,众人都去受洗。 25 约翰的门徒和一个犹太人为了洁净的礼仪争辩起来, 26 于是门徒来见约翰,说:“老师,你看,以前在约旦河对岸和你在一起、你为祂做见证的那位在给人施洗,众人都去祂那里了!”

27 约翰回答说:“除非是从天上赏赐下来的,否则人什么都得不到。 28 你们自己可以为我做见证,我说过我不是基督,我只是奉差在祂前面预备道路的。 29 娶新娘的是新郎,站在旁边的朋友听见新郎的声音,就会欢喜快乐。因此,我现在也心满意足了。 30 祂必兴旺,我必衰微。

31 “从天上来的,超越一切;从地上来的,属于地,他所谈论的也不外乎地上的事。那来自天上、超越万物的, 32 要把所见所闻讲给人听,只是没有人接受祂的见证。 33 但已经接受祂见证的人证实了上帝是真实的。 34 上帝所差来的,说的是上帝的话,因为上帝将圣灵无限量地赐给祂。 35 父爱子,已把万物交在祂手里。 36 信子的人有永生;不信子的人得不到永生,上帝的烈怒常在他身上。”

Footnotes

  1. 1:3 造的”或译“存在”。
  2. 1:5 胜过”或译“接受”或“明白”。
  3. 1:18 独一上帝”有古卷作“独一儿子”。
  4. 1:24 派来的人当中有几个法利赛人”或译“法利赛人派来的那几个人”。
  5. 1:38 老师”希腊文是“拉比”,特指犹太教的老师,下同。
  6. 1:41 希伯来文的“弥赛亚”和希腊文的“基督”都是“受膏者”的意思。
  7. 1:51 人子”是耶稣的自称,耶稣在这里自比天梯,背景请参见创世记28:12
  8. 2:4 这跟你我有什么相干”或译“我与你有什么相干”。
  9. 3:3 重生”或译“生自上面”,7节同。
  10. 3:13 从天上降下来的人子”有古卷作:“从天降下、仍旧在天的人子”。

生命之道

太初,道已經存在,道與上帝同在,道就是上帝。 太初,道就與上帝同在。 萬物都是藉著祂造的[a],受造之物沒有一樣不是藉著祂造的。 祂裡面有生命,這生命是人類的光。 光照進黑暗裡,黑暗不能勝過[b]光。

有一個人名叫約翰,是上帝差來的。 他來是要為光做見證,叫世人可以藉著他而相信。 約翰不是那光,他來是為那光做見證。 那照亮世人的真光來到了世上。 10 祂來到自己所創造的世界,世界卻不認識祂。 11 祂來到自己的地方,自己的人卻不接納祂。 12 但所有接納祂的,就是那些信祂的人,祂就賜給他們權利成為上帝的兒女。 13 這些人既不是從人的血緣關係生的,也不是從人的情慾或意願生的,而是從上帝生的。

14 道成為肉身,住在我們中間,充滿了恩典和真理。我們見過祂的榮耀,正是父獨一兒子的榮耀。

15 約翰為祂做見證的時候,高聲喊道:「這就是我以前所說的那位,『祂在我以後來卻比我位分高,因為祂在我之前已經存在了。』」 16 從祂的豐盛裡,我們一次又一次地領受了恩典。 17 因為律法是藉著摩西頒佈的,恩典和真理是藉著耶穌基督賜下來的。 18 從來沒有人見過上帝,只有父懷中的獨一上帝[c]把祂顯明出來。

施洗者約翰的見證

19 以下是約翰的見證。猶太人從耶路撒冷派祭司和利未人來找約翰,查問他是誰。 20 約翰毫不隱瞞地說:「我不是基督。」

21 他們問:「那麼,你是誰?是以利亞嗎?」

他說:「不是。」

他們又問:「你是那位先知嗎?」

他說:「也不是。」

22 他們又追問:「你到底是誰?我們好回覆差我們來的人。你自己說你是誰?」

23 他說:「我就是在曠野大聲呼喊『修直主的路』的那個人,正如以賽亞先知所言。」

24 派來的人當中有幾個法利賽人[d],他們問他: 25 「你既然不是基督,不是以利亞,也不是那位先知,那你為什麼給人施洗呢?」

26 約翰答道:「我是用水施洗,但在你們中間有一位你們不認識的, 27 祂雖然是在我以後來的,我就是給祂解鞋帶也不配。」 28 這事發生在約旦河東岸的伯大尼,那裡是約翰給人施洗的地方。

上帝的羔羊

29 次日,約翰看見耶穌走過來,就說:「看啊!上帝的羔羊,除去世人罪惡的! 30 這就是我以前所說的那位,『有一個人在我以後來卻比我位分高,因為祂在我之前已經存在了。』 31 我以前並不認識祂,現在我用水給人施洗,是要把祂顯明給以色列人。」

32 約翰又做見證說:「我看見聖靈好像鴿子一樣從天降下,住在祂身上。 33 我本來不認識祂,但那位差我來用水給人施洗的告訴我,『你看見聖靈降下,住在誰身上,誰就是用聖靈給人施洗的。』 34 我看見了,便做見證,祂就是上帝的兒子。」

第一批門徒

35 再次日,約翰和兩個門徒站在那裡, 36 他看見耶穌經過,就說:「看啊!這是上帝的羔羊!」 37 兩個門徒聽見他的話,便跟從了耶穌。 38 耶穌轉過身來,看見他們跟著,便問:「你們想要什麼?」

他們說:「老師[e],你住在哪裡?」

39 耶穌說:「你們來看吧。」他們便跟著去看耶穌住的地方。到了那裡大約下午四點了,他們就住在耶穌那裡。 40 聽見約翰的話後跟從耶穌的兩個人中,有一個是西門·彼得的弟弟安得烈。 41 他首先去找他哥哥西門,說:「我們找到彌賽亞了!」彌賽亞的意思是基督[f] 42 他帶著西門去見耶穌。

耶穌看著西門,對他說:「約翰的兒子西門,你要改名為磯法。」磯法的意思是彼得。

43 又過了一天,耶穌決定去加利利。祂遇見了腓力,就對他說:「跟從我!」 44 腓力是伯賽大人,與彼得、安得烈是同鄉。 45 腓力去找拿但業,對他說:「我們遇見了摩西律法書和先知書記載的那位!祂是約瑟的兒子耶穌,從拿撒勒來的。」

46 拿但業說:「拿撒勒還會出什麼好東西?」

腓力說:「你來看看吧!」

47 耶穌看見拿但業走過來,就指著他說:「看啊,這是個真正的以色列人!他心裡毫無詭詐。」

48 拿但業問耶穌:「你怎麼會認識我?」

耶穌答道:「腓力還沒有去找你之前,我就看見你在無花果樹下了。」

49 拿但業說:「老師,你是上帝的兒子!你是以色列的王!」

50 耶穌說:「我說看見你在無花果樹下,你就信我嗎?將來你還要看見比這更大的事。 51 我實實在在地告訴你們,你們會看見天門敞開,上帝的天使以人子[g]為梯上上下下。」

變水為酒

第三天,在加利利的迦拿有人舉辦婚宴,耶穌的母親在那裡。 耶穌和門徒也被邀請去赴宴。 酒喝完了,耶穌的母親就對祂說:「他們沒有酒了。」 耶穌說:「婦人,這跟你我有什麼相干[h]?我的時候還沒有到。」 祂母親對僕人說:「祂叫你們做什麼,你們就做什麼。」 那裡有六口猶太人用來行潔淨禮儀的石缸,每口可以盛約一百升水。

耶穌對僕人說:「把缸倒滿水!」他們就往缸裡倒水,一直滿到缸口。 耶穌又說:「現在可以舀些出來,送給宴席總管。」他們就送了去。 那些僕人知道這酒是怎樣來的,宴席總管卻不知道。他嚐過那水變的酒後,便把新郎叫來, 10 對他說:「人們都是先拿好酒款待客人,等客人喝夠了,才把次等的拿出來,你卻把好酒留到現在!」 11 這是耶穌第一次行神蹟,是在加利利的迦拿行的,彰顯了祂的榮耀,門徒都信了祂。

12 這事以後,耶穌和祂的母親、弟弟並門徒一起去迦百農住了幾天。

潔淨聖殿

13 猶太人的逾越節快到了,耶穌便上耶路撒冷去。 14 祂看見聖殿區有人在賣牛羊和鴿子,還有人在兌換銀幣, 15 就用繩索做成鞭子把牛羊趕出去,倒掉錢商的銀幣,推翻他們的桌子, 16 又對賣鴿子的說:「把這些東西拿出去!不要把我父的殿當作市場。」 17 祂的門徒想起聖經上說:「我對你的殿充滿炙熱的愛。」

18 當時,猶太人質問祂:「你給我們顯什麼神蹟來證明你有權這樣做?」

19 耶穌回答說:「你們拆毀這座殿,我三天之內會把它重建起來。」

20 他們說:「這座殿用了四十六年才建成,你三天之內就要把它重建起來嗎?」 21 其實耶穌說的殿是指自己的身體, 22 所以等到祂從死裡復活以後,祂的門徒想起這句話,就相信了聖經和耶穌所傳的道。

23 耶穌在耶路撒冷過逾越節期間,許多人看見祂行的神蹟,就信了祂。 24 耶穌卻不信任他們,因為祂洞悉萬人。 25 不用別人告訴祂,祂也深知人的內心。

論重生

有一個法利賽人名叫尼哥德慕,是猶太人的官。 一天晚上,他來見耶穌,說:「老師,我們知道你是上帝差來教導人的,因為如果沒有上帝的同在,沒有人能行你所行的神蹟。」

耶穌說:「我實實在在地告訴你,人若不重生[i],就不能看見上帝的國。」

尼哥德慕說:「人老了,怎能重生呢?難道要再進母腹生一次嗎?」

耶穌說:「我實實在在地告訴你,人如果不是從水和聖靈生的,就不能進上帝的國。 從肉體生的還是肉體,從聖靈生的才是靈。 所以我說你們必須重生,你不要驚奇。 風隨意吹動,你聽見它的聲音,卻不知道它從哪裡來,往哪裡去。凡從聖靈生的人也是這樣。」

尼哥德慕又問:「這怎麼可能呢?」

10 耶穌說:「你是以色列人的教師,還不明白這事嗎? 11 我實實在在地告訴你,我們所說的是自己知道的,所見證的是自己見過的,可是你們不肯接受我們的見證。 12 我對你們說地上的事,你們尚且不信,要是說天上的事,你們怎麼會信呢? 13 除了從天上降下來的人子[j]以外,沒有人到過天上。 14 摩西在曠野怎樣舉起銅蛇,人子也必照樣被舉起來, 15 叫一切信祂的人都得到永生。

16 「因為上帝愛世人,甚至將祂獨一的兒子賜給他們,叫一切信祂的人不致滅亡,反得永生。 17 上帝差祂的兒子到世上來,不是要定世人的罪,而是要藉著祂的兒子拯救世人。 18 信祂的人不會被定罪,不信的人已經被定罪,因為他們不信上帝獨一的兒子。 19 光來到世上,世人因為自己的行為邪惡而不愛光,反愛黑暗,這就是他們被定罪的原因。 20 作惡的人恨光,不肯接近光,恐怕他們的罪行暴露出來。 21 但遵行真理的人喜歡接近光,好顯明他所做的是靠上帝做的。」

施洗者約翰論耶穌

22 這事之後,耶穌和門徒前往猶太地區,在那裡住下來給人施洗。 23-24 那時約翰還沒有入獄,他在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也給人施洗。那裡水多,眾人都去受洗。 25 約翰的門徒和一個猶太人為了潔淨的禮儀爭辯起來, 26 於是門徒來見約翰,說:「老師,你看,以前在約旦河對岸和你在一起、你為祂做見證的那位在給人施洗,眾人都去祂那裡了!」

27 約翰回答說:「除非是從天上賞賜下來的,否則人什麼都得不到。 28 你們自己可以為我做見證,我說過我不是基督,我只是奉差在祂前面預備道路的。 29 娶新娘的是新郎,站在旁邊的朋友聽見新郎的聲音,就會歡喜快樂。因此,我現在也心滿意足了。 30 祂必興旺,我必衰微。

31 「從天上來的,超越一切;從地上來的,屬於地,他所談論的也不外乎地上的事。那來自天上、超越萬物的, 32 要把所見所聞講給人聽,只是沒有人接受祂的見證。 33 但已經接受祂見證的人證實了上帝是真實的。 34 上帝所差來的,說的是上帝的話,因為上帝將聖靈無限量地賜給祂。 35 父愛子,已把萬物交在祂手裡。 36 信子的人有永生;不信子的人得不到永生,上帝的烈怒常在他身上。」

Footnotes

  1. 1·3 造的」或譯「存在」。
  2. 1·5 勝過」或譯「接受」或「明白」。
  3. 1·18 獨一上帝」有古卷作「獨一兒子」。
  4. 1·24 派來的人當中有幾個法利賽人」或譯「法利賽人派來的那幾個人」。
  5. 1·38 老師」希臘文是「拉比」,特指猶太教的老師,下同。
  6. 1·41 希伯來文的「彌賽亞」和希臘文的「基督」都是「受膏者」的意思。
  7. 1·51 人子」是耶穌的自稱,耶穌在這裡自比天梯,背景請參見創世記28·12
  8. 2·4 這跟你我有什麼相干」或譯「我與你有什麼相干」。
  9. 3·3 重生」或譯「生自上面」,7節同。
  10. 3·13 從天上降下來的人子」有古卷作:「從天降下、仍舊在天的人子」。

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word,(A) and the Word was with God,(B) and the Word was God.(C) He was with God in the beginning.(D) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.(E) In him was life,(F) and that life was the light(G) of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness,(H) and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.(I)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(J) He came as a witness to testify(K) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.(L) He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light(M) that gives light to everyone(N) was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,(O) the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.(P) 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed(Q) in his name,(R) he gave the right to become children of God(S) 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.(T)

14 The Word became flesh(U) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,(V) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace(W) and truth.(X)

15 (John testified(Y) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)(Z) 16 Out of his fullness(AA) we have all received grace(AB) in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses;(AC) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(AD) 18 No one has ever seen God,(AE) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b](AF) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s(AG) testimony when the Jewish leaders[c](AH) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”(AI)

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”(AJ)

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”(AK)

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,(AL) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[d](AM)

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[e] water,”(AN) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me,(AO) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”(AP)

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,(AQ) where John was baptizing.

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(AR) who takes away the sin of the world!(AS) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(AT) 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.(AU) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(AV) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(AW) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[f](AX)

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus(AY)

35 The next day John(AZ) was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”(BA)

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi”(BB) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).(BC) 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called(BD) Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).(BE)

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip,(BF) he said to him, “Follow me.”(BG)

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.(BH) 45 Philip found Nathanael(BI) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,(BJ) and about whom the prophets also wrote(BK)—Jesus of Nazareth,(BL) the son of Joseph.”(BM)

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”(BN) Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite(BO) in whom there is no deceit.”(BP)

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi,(BQ) you are the Son of God;(BR) you are the king of Israel.”(BS)

50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open,(BT) and the angels of God ascending and descending(BU) on’[k] the Son of Man.”(BV)

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.(BW) Jesus’ mother(BX) was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman,[l](BY) why do you involve me?”(BZ) Jesus replied. “My hour(CA) has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”(CB)

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,(CC) each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[m]

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.(CD) He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs(CE) through which he revealed his glory;(CF) and his disciples believed in him.(CG)

12 After this he went down to Capernaum(CH) with his mother(CI) and brothers(CJ) and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts(CK)

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,(CL) Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(CM) 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves,(CN) and others sitting at tables exchanging money.(CO) 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house(CP) into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[n](CQ)

18 The Jews(CR) then responded to him, “What sign(CS) can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”(CT)

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”(CU)

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.(CV) 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.(CW) Then they believed the scripture(CX) and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival,(CY) many people saw the signs(CZ) he was performing and believed(DA) in his name.[o] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind,(DB) for he knew what was in each person.(DC)

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus(DD) who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.(DE) He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi,(DF) we know(DG) that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs(DH) you are doing if God were not with him.”(DI)

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[p](DJ)

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.(DK) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[q] gives birth to spirit.(DL) You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[r] must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[s](DM)

“How can this be?”(DN) Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,”(DO) said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know,(DP) and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.(DQ) 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven(DR) except the one who came from heaven(DS)—the Son of Man.[t](DT) 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(DU) so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[u](DV) 15 that everyone who believes(DW) may have eternal life in him.”[v](DX)

16 For God so loved(DY) the world that he gave(DZ) his one and only Son,(EA) that whoever believes(EB) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(EC) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world(ED) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(EE) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,(EF) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(EG) 19 This is the verdict: Light(EH) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(EI) 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.(EJ) 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John Testifies Again About Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(EK) 23 Now John(EL) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(EM) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(EN) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(EO) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(EP) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(EQ) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(ER) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(ES) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[w]

31 The one who comes from above(ET) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.(EU) The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard,(EV) but no one accepts his testimony.(EW) 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent(EX) speaks the words of God, for God[x] gives the Spirit(EY) without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.(EZ) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,(FA) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Footnotes

  1. John 1:5 Or understood
  2. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
  3. John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
  4. John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
  5. John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)
  6. John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
  7. John 1:42 Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.
  8. John 1:50 Or Do you believe … ?
  9. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  10. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  11. John 1:51 Gen. 28:12
  12. John 2:4 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.
  13. John 2:6 Or from about 75 to about 115 liters
  14. John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
  15. John 2:23 Or in him
  16. John 3:3 The Greek for again also means from above; also in verse 7.
  17. John 3:6 Or but spirit
  18. John 3:7 The Greek is plural.
  19. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind.
  20. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven
  21. John 3:14 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  22. John 3:15 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 21.
  23. John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.
  24. John 3:34 Greek he